보건복지부 영문홈페이지

 

Psychiatric consultations with no medicine prescribed will no longer leave detailed medical records

- Procedures to claim health insurance for consultations with a psychiatrist to be improved –

 

The Ministry of Health and Welfare (Minister Rim Chemin) said that psychiatric consultations with no medicine prescribed, regardless of the frequency of visits, will not leave detailed medical records when claiming health insurance by changing related existing systems on April 1^st.

 

Psychiatrists can make claims for the general consultation code (Z Code) of health insurance claims instead of the current psychiatric disease code (F Code).

 

This system will apply to people visiting a psychiatrist for the first time, but the records of people who already been diagnosed with a mental illness from a psychiatrist will remain.

 

※ Personal information regarding public health insurance such as insurance claims from psychiatric hospitals is strictly controlled and protected under the National Health Insurance Act and other related laws.

 

The new rule will come into effect in order to help resolve negative views and bad reputation for visiting a psychiatrist, as well as encourage people to seek the proper professional psychiatric services they need.

 

According to an epidemiological survey of mental disorders in 20011 conducted by the ministry, only 15.3% of people with a mental illness received consultations with a psychiatrist, a non-psychiatric doctor or any other mental health professional for treatment.

 

※ The ratio of using mental health service: the U.S. 39.2% (2010), Australia 34.9% (2009), New Zealand 38.9% (2006)

 

In June of last year, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced a policy package to promote mental health including the new rule.

 

It is expected that the new measure will boost medical consultations with psychiatrists and encourage people to get mental health issues diagnosed at an early stage and receive effective treatment.

 

Also, the ministry will reinforce related systems to help people gain easier access to information and services regarding mental healthcare.

 

The number of community mental health centers in provinces, cities, counties, and districts nationwide will be increased from the current 183 to 200 in 2013, and at least one mental health counselor will be dispatched to all centers.

 

In addition, the ministry will build a website on mental health this year connected to Health In, the website that the National Health Insurance Corporation operates.

 

In the meantime, the ministry said that it plans to submit a revision of the Mental Health Act to the National Assembly, within the first half of this year, which includes a new clause to reduce the extent of mentally illnesses, and prevent discrimination due to records of having a mentally illness.

 

<Attachment 1> Explanation on major issues

 

Issue 1. Changed ways of claiming health insurance by medical institutions for mental disease

 

Previously, institutions had to input the psychiatric disease code in the diagnosis section for insurance claims when conducting supportive therapy, concentration therapy, and analysis therapy, but now they will only need to input the general consultation code.

 

< New rule for insurance claims by the psychiatry >

 

Existing way		→	Improved way
Claim code	Diagnosis		Claim code	Diagnosis
NN013 (concentration therapy)	F31 (bipolar disorder)		NN013 (concentration therapy)	Z71.9 (consultation)

 

Issue 2. No history of mental illness will be left in medical records?

 

In the medical records, the visitation will be recorded as a consultation, but a detailed diagnosis will not be mentioned.

 

However, doctors will be able to mention certain mental diseases or a sub diagnosis at their own discretion.

 

Issue 3. The Z code can be applied to the first mental examination with no medicine prescribed?

 

The Z code cannot be unconditionally applied to all first mental examinations with no medicine prescribed, and the F code can be also applied.

 

In the case of no medication, when a psychiatrist judges it is necessary, a mental illness can still be recorded in the medical records or mentioned for insurance claims. .